History Department

Placement

A history course is required all years from 7-12th grade and four credits in history is required to graduate.

As they integrate Bible, theology, history and philosophy, Humanities 9 and 10 fulfill both the History and Bible Department requirements.

After Humanities 9, students may also choose to take one or more history electives should they meet the prerequisites.

Sequence

Middle School

MS.205/ Ancient World History 7

Required for all 7th Graders

The seventh grade World History course centers on an exploration of some of the world’s most ancient civilizations. Chronologically, the course is a survey beginning with an examination of the world’s earliest civilizations and ending with regional and transregional transformations circa 1000 A.D. Students are trained to analyze political, economic, religious, social, and cultural aspects of societies from the distant past. Through careful reading and analysis of primary and secondary texts students learn to develop historical thinking and writing skills.

MS.210/ Modern World History 8

Required for all 8th Graders

Eighth grade Modern World History focuses on post-WWII non-western history. Using case studies of different countries, the course seeks to create global literacy in the students. Evolving China, post-colonial Africa, tension in the Middle East, and the politics of the Indian subcontinent will be studied while students develop a critical eye towards understanding current events. One of the major themes of the course is, “how is the historical record used or misused for current political purposes?” It is clear that the roots of modern global politics lay in the past; thus, western imperialism, as well as local governance, will also be scrutinized. For example, the history of 19th century China and the Opium Wars will be investigated for its influence on modern Chinese politics, foreign policy, and society. In preparation for skills needed in high school, this course emphasizes reading, writing, and public speaking.

Upper School H.120/ Humanities 9 Required for all 9th Graders

Through extensive study of Hebrew Scripture and other primary sources, Humanities 9 introduces students to ancient narratives that portray the social, religious, political, economic, and cultural conditions of the Ancient Near East. The ancient Israelites are compared with other ancient cultures, from the Sumerians to the Greeks. Primary and secondary sources such as films, works of art, essays, and epics are also studied for their interpretations of characters and events. The course ends with the collision of Jewish and Greek civilization during the Hellenization of Israel. (1 credit)

H.140/ Humanities 10 Required for all 10th Graders

Humanities 10 continues the narrative begun in Humanities 9. The course begins in the Hellenistic world and assesses the development and strength of the Roman Empire. Through careful examination of the Gospels and the Book of Acts, the life and teachings of Jesus are studied in depth. The course then traces the development of the early church up to the time of Constantine, where issues of orthodoxy and heresy are explored. Students then observe the rise of the Islamic and Byzantine Empires before turning to Medieval Europe at the time of Charlemagne. The course concludes with an extensive research project on the Crusades and a thorough analysis of the High Middle Ages and the disasters of the fourteenth century. This class provides students with a strong foundation to study European History. (1 credit)